I had a birthday

Thursday, June 24, 2010

And it was a lot of fun. Shopping. Eating. A little bit of drinking and household karaoke may have been involved. Followed by pralines and cream ice cream.

All I can say now is I feel like I've been living like a teenager. In a much older body. LOL

Thanks to all who sent me Facebook wishes and caviar dreams. No, Robin Leach did not appear on my doorstep for an episode of Lifestyles of the Out of Tune and Infamous. And yes, I know I've dated myself by referencing a program that hasn't been on the air in this century.

Even more exciting was what happened on the day after my birthday: the earthquake!

So there I was, proofreading a document for a client on the eighth floor of an office building, when I could have sworn a bunch of elephants were dancing behind my chair. Or a very large graphic designer with a gang of production people. Carrying photocopiers.

I turned around and met the gaze of Hugh, the man across the cubicle farm hall from me. And that's when I noticed that the freaking building was moving. Not a lot, but enough to make me wanna throw up.

Bonnie: "Ohmigawd, are we having an earthquake?"

Hugh: "Feels like it."

Bonnie: "But earthquakes don't happen here. They happen in places like San Francisco."

Hugh: "Weren't you just there?"

Bonnie: "Yeah."

Hugh: "That explains it. You brought this home with you."

Lesson learned: people always blame the temp. ;)

Some people raced over to the window to watch the people spilling out of the office buildings onto the street while I struggled to remember what you were supposed to do during an earthquake.

Thoughts of standing in a doorway and avoiding elevators came to mind, but then I got caught up in everyone taking guesses at whether the quake was related to the G20 or not, or if another town was bearing the full brunt of the tremors.

I thought it was cool. Especially since it felt like being on that earthquake ride at Universal Studios. Except without the water and submerged subway.

And now I know that it's hard to proofread during an earthquake, no matter how small the tremors. ;)

The good, the bad, and the fugly

Saturday, June 19, 2010

June has been a month filled with ups and downs. And I'm not just talking about elevators or my recent girls' getaway to San Francisco. ;)

I've been quiet because you really didn't need to know what was going on in Bonnieland. One day I'll look back upon late May/early June as a time when I needed to "shop at the perspective store," as DH so lovingly told me.

Yes, he's still alive.

What really helped was a tour of Alcatraz, truth be told. I stood and peered into each small cell and thought about how good I had it. Sure, the inmates had a bed and three square meals a day, but they had little else.

Not even a kitten of mass destruction (who greeted me with poop at the door upon my return).

And while last week I'd been fully prepared to peel the face off a perfect stranger because she couldn't put her shopping cart to the side like you're supposed to, now I'm feeling less dangerous.

Here's why:

1. I spent four days being a tourist in an incredibly fun city with Laura, my incredibly fun friend from college. Rode the hop-on/hop-off tour bus as if it were the best thing since Jell-O. Then we switched to the trolley cars. My arms and legs still hurt from all the hanging on for dear life.

2. I attended a local writer's group meeting (not one that I belong to) and instead of being treated like a welcome guest, my friends and I got the stink eye, a few shushes, and discontented murmur's when a few of us won raffle items. Little did we know we weren't their type of people. It's okay; the feeling is mutual. ;) Made me appreciate my writing group a whole lot more.

3. As much as it drives me nuts, I actually enjoy what I do for a living. There are a lot of people who can't say that, so I count myself lucky. And no, I'm not talking about my go-go dancing career. :)

4. The notes from my beta reader on the novel that almost killed me aren't that bad. Yeah, I have a ton of work to do, but it'll make for a much stronger story. Looks like I'll have to pick up more index cards. Maybe colourful ones! I heart shopping for office supplies!

5. I have the best husband in the world. Even if he snores louder than my grandmother.